Libsyn Directory

410. An Inspirational Song for Teachers to Start the Year

Beginning Teacher Talk: A Podcast for New Elementary Teachers

Release Date: 08/19/2026

410. An Inspirational Song for Teachers to Start the Year

Beginning Teacher Talk: A Podcast for New Elementary Teachers

Episode Summary: As you step into a new school year, you may feel excited, hopeful, nervous, and unsure of yourself all at once. In this special episode, Dr. Lori shares a few thoughts about the growing impact of AI and her decision to use it to create One Child at a Time, an inspirational song for teachers and a reminder that you don’t have to be perfect to make a difference. Your patience, kindness, and the way you help each child feel safe, seen, and valued matter more than you may ever know. In this episode, you'll be reminded: • You don’t have to be a perfect teacher to make a...

409. I Feel Like a General with All These Strict Rules and Expectations

Beginning Teacher Talk: A Podcast for New Elementary Teachers

Many teachers want calm, well-managed classrooms, but they also want students to feel trusted, creative, and independent. In this episode of Beginning Teacher Talk, Dr. Lori explores why strong classroom routines and student autonomy don't compete with one another. Instead, she explains how thoughtful structure gives students the confidence, clarity, and support they need to become more independent. What You'll Learn: • Why structure and student autonomy are not opposites, and how thoughtful routines actually build independence • Questions you can ask yourself to evaluate whether your...

408. When Students Refuse to Work: How to Use Reflection Forms Without Creating a Power Struggle

Beginning Teacher Talk: A Podcast for New Elementary Teachers

When a student refuses to work, it's easy to feel like you have to win the battle, but power struggles rarely lead to lasting change. In this episode of Beginning Teacher Talk, Dr. Lori shares how refusal-to-work reflection forms can help teachers respond calmly, protect instructional time, and guide students toward accountability without escalating the situation. What You'll Learn: • How to use refusal-to-work reflection forms without creating a power struggle • When a student needs support versus when they are choosing to refuse an assignment • Why calm accountability is more effective...

407. Classroom Mascots: An Amazing First-Weeks Community Builder

Beginning Teacher Talk: A Podcast for New Elementary Teachers

In this episode of Beginning Teacher Talk, Dr. Lori shares one of her favorite back-to-school community-building strategies: using a simple classroom mascot to help students feel connected, safe, and excited to be part of your classroom family. She explains why classroom mascots are about so much more than a stuffed animal; they're a powerful tool for building relationships, teaching routines, supporting emotional regulation, and creating a strong classroom community during the first weeks of school. What You'll Learn: • How a classroom mascot can build community during the first weeks of...

406. If Last Year Was the Hardest Year of Your Teaching Life, Listen to This

Beginning Teacher Talk: A Podcast for New Elementary Teachers

In this episode of Beginning Teacher Talk, Dr. Lori Friesen shares an encouraging message for every teacher who ended the last school year feeling overwhelmed, discouraged, or questioning whether they were cut out for teaching. Through three powerful mindset shifts, she explains how a growth mindset for teachers can transform the way we view classroom management challenges, difficult seasons, and our own ability to grow. What You'll Learn: • How a growth mindset can help you move forward after a difficult school year • Why classroom management is a set of skills and systems that can be...

405. Before You Quit Teaching, Listen to This: With Middle School Teacher Amber Duane

Beginning Teacher Talk: A Podcast for New Elementary Teachers

In this episode of Beginning Teacher Talk, Dr. Lori Friesen sits down with middle school teacher Amber Duane to share how she went from nearly leaving teaching after her first year to feeling confident and excited about heading back to school. Amber opens up about the classroom management struggles she faced as a beginning teacher, the mindset shifts that changed everything, and the practical strategies that helped her build a calmer, more successful classroom. What You'll Learn: • Why strong classroom management starts before students ever walk through your door • How preparing your...

404. Specials Teachers: Why Classroom Management Feels So Different (And Why Most Advice Doesn't Work)

Beginning Teacher Talk: A Podcast for New Elementary Teachers

In this episode of Beginning Teacher Talk, Dr. Lori speaks directly to art, music, PE, library, STEM, and other specials teachers who often feel overlooked when it comes to classroom management advice. She explains why classroom management for specials teachers is fundamentally different from homeroom teaching and shares simple strategies to reduce behavior challenges through stronger transitions, predictable routines, and effective classroom systems. What You'll Learn: • Why classroom management for specials teachers requires a different approach • How transitions—not behavior—are...

403. Teaching Today's Kids with 22-Year Veteran Jodie Culpepper

Beginning Teacher Talk: A Podcast for New Elementary Teachers

In this episode of Beginning Teacher Talk, Dr. Lori sits down with veteran teacher Jodie Culpepper, who shares how years of classroom management challenges, student behavior concerns, and overwhelming stress nearly led her to resign after 22 years in education. Jodie opens up about what helped her regain confidence, find hope again, and rediscover the joy of teaching through stronger classroom routines, simple behavior strategies, and a renewed focus on relationships with students. What You'll Learn: • Why many experienced teachers feel like beginning teachers in today's classrooms • How...

402. Adding Elements of Surprise to Engage Your Students with 4th Grade Teacher Amanda Muri

Beginning Teacher Talk: A Podcast for New Elementary Teachers

In this episode of Beginning Teacher Talk, Dr. Lori sits down with fourth-grade teacher Amanda Muri to talk about how small elements of surprise can create big shifts in classroom management. Amanda shares her journey from feeling confident at the start of the school year to struggling with student engagement after winter break, and how a simple podcast episode helped her rediscover the joy, connection, and excitement that transformed the energy in her classroom. What You'll Learn: • Why classroom routines and student engagement often begin to slip after winter break • How simple surprises...

401. How Small Changes Lead to Big Results in Pre-K Classroom Management With Special Guest Lindsay Parsons

Beginning Teacher Talk: A Podcast for New Elementary Teachers

In this episode of Beginning Teacher Talk, Dr. Lori sits down with pre-K and kindergarten teacher Lindsay Parsons to talk about what classroom management really looks like with today’s students. Lindsay shares how simple shifts completely changed the energy in her classroom and helped her feel hopeful again after struggling with student behavior, social-emotional skill gaps, and teacher overwhelm. What You'll Learn: • Why so many teachers feel like traditional classroom management strategies are no longer working • How whole class motivators can improve student behavior and classroom...

More Episodes

Episode Summary:

As you step into a new school year, you may feel excited, hopeful, nervous, and unsure of yourself all at once. In this special episode, Dr. Lori shares a few thoughts about the growing impact of AI and her decision to use it to create One Child at a Time, an inspirational song for teachers and a reminder that you don’t have to be perfect to make a difference. Your patience, kindness, and the way you help each child feel safe, seen, and valued matter more than you may ever know.

In this episode, you'll be reminded:

• You don’t have to be a perfect teacher to make a meaningful difference

• The small moments of kindness, patience, and connection you create with students matter

• Teaching is a practice, and every day is another opportunity to learn, grow, and begin again

• You are competent and capable, even on the days when you question yourself

• Your impact may not always be visible, but you are changing the world one precious child at a time

Resources Mentioned:

• Listen to One Child at a Time on YouTube

• Learn more about Dr. Lori's programs

If you need a little encouragement before stepping into your classroom this year, let these teacher affirmations be your reminder to believe in yourself, be gentle with yourself, and leave room for magical things to happen. Listen to One Child at a Time, and then share this song with a teacher who might need to hear these words today.

Need to regain control of your classroom? Save your seat at Dr. Lori's new, free class:

Save your seat at the tropical island virtual teacher retreat, where we'll talk about how to prevent challenging behaviors from derailing your entire day—even if you feel like you've already tried everything, you don't have admin support, and parents don't seem to care.

Click here to save your seat! https://www.drlorifriesen.com/need-this

Stay connected with us!

Looking for quick, actionable PD? Visit our YouTube channel!

Be sure to follow, rate, and subscribe to the Beginning Teacher Talk podcast so you never miss an episode.

Warmly,

Dr. Lori

TOPICS